When you see this kitchen, what do you think about?
Being in a baking cook-off? Piling up your fresh vegetables, sharp knives and flavorful herbs to get started making an amazing meal? Does it make you want to experiment, try new recipes or risk it all in an “iron-chef” type cook off? Or does it simply want to make you renovate your current kitchen?
This is the GE Monogram Kitchen at the GE Monogram Experience Center in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s a theater for the senses! It is a 10,000 sq.-ft. complex filled with an array of stimulating and appealing spaces. These spaces have been designed to showcase the latest in innovation with their GE Monogram appliances. Are you hungry yet?
Guess what? We’ve been invited to visit! But, that’s not all! We are allowed to bring a guest with us…all expenses paid.
This is what we know about the trip…We will be arriving in Louisville, Kentucky on May 15 and returning home May 17. We are promised a luxurious learning experience. (They used the word luxurious a number of times to describe this trip.) The GE Momsperience will have experiences around the themes “Biggest Challenges in the Kitchen” and “Entertaining Made Simple”. We will also be exploring some of Louisville’s hotspots.
Like we said, we get to bring a guest with us! That guest will have all their travel plans taken care of by GE’s concierge. Your travel expenses, hotel and food will be covered by GE Appliances. We don’t know about you, but we are already (mentally) packing our bags and looking forward to a weekend full of new experience!
Please check your calendars and if May 15-17 is open for you, leave a comment and tell us how you make entertaining simple. We will choose one guest to join us at the GE Momsperience 2011 Getaway. We will be running this giveaway until April 19.
I don’t know that entertaining will ever be simple for me – I kind of go all out! But after having twins I have learned to take it down a notch. What’s really important is the friendships that bloom and grow around my table. And as long as I have pretty plates out and some flowers around, then I can still feel fancy no matter what else I’ve done to prepare!
I just about fell over. I would love to go to this. I go all out, but to attempt to simply, I like to prepare things earlier in the day or the day before if possible. That way I can enjoy a drink with my guests!
I keep my entertaining simple by inviting my guests into the kitchen to visit and sip some wine while i put the finishing touches on the meal. The table settings are mismatched, the seating casual.
I let my MIL do all the work! She loves to do it anyway!
If she’s not around, I keep the food and drinks super simple and prepare things the day before.
i don’t.
we rarely entertain … though i would love to. we just have a way too small space in our home and we have way too many kids within it.
this experience sounds delightful though! and i’m terrified to press submit comment because i’m not sure that i could leave my kids for two full days. it might just break me.
The biggest learning for me is that people really enjoy being together – you don’t have to make things more complicated than just having interesting people around!
I try and do as much prep as I can ahead of time so the day of I’m not too frazzled to enjoy the company of my guests. This “may” involve “outsourcing” things like sides or dessert to Wegmans…but promise you won’t tell anyone.
I typically go overboard with side dishes and dessert. But I keep it simple by making a tried and true main dish like chicken parm.
I have to make my entertaining simple because of my fibromyalgia. I feel I have an obligation to serve and be hospitable because of my faith. I have had to revamp how I used to entertain because I could be making yummy dishes for hours but now I can’t because I can’t stand at the counter that long at one time. To simplify I make easy dishes that taste yummy. For example easy cream cheese hot dips with crackers or veggies and fruit cut up by my family for me or deserts that are homemade but easy like chocolate dump cake. I have to prepare ahead and make different items at different times so I don’t over do it. I use my crockpot a lot for hot side dishes and have my hubby grill in the summer. I try to find recipes I can make ahead or in the crock pot so I actually save my energy for the entertaining day. I always have something in the freezer already made to serve if people stop by too. I just have to think about it more, find quicker recipes and spread the work out to make it easy on this fibro girl. What an awesome opportunity this would be for you or anyone. If I don’t win I can’t wait to hear about the trip. It sounds wonderful!
I love to have friends over during the day with their kids that aren’t old enough for school or that are homeschooled and we each make something. It makes it nice, but not too much cooking for me.
I love to entertain. To keep it simple, I don’t overdo on too many dishes or tasks. The point is to enjoy other’s company and have a great time. I like to make my tried and true dishes that are simple. If you work all day and night in the kitchen, you are typically too tired to enjoy the meal and friends or family. We love to grill as well. This keeps things simple as well.
For me, it’s about having the things I need at hand so that when friends are headed over I can whip up something easy and delicious. I always keep ripe bananas or shredded zucchini (from my garden) in the freezer; there’s nothing like sharing fresh bread and coffee with friends. Simple and entertaining!
oh how I wish…Nieces wedding but we will have a blast there. Will aim to win the next experience you set up for you blog readers!
I only make dishes I know and love and have made several times before. Experiment on the family not when guests are coming and you might be stressed!
That and take people up on their asking if there is anything they can bring!
I would SO love to win!
My simple Enetertaining philosophy is make people feel at home with a welcoming atmosphere! Of course yummy food and a tidy house helps but, feeling at home…there’s nothing like that. I want them to know they are welcome to come back.
Hosting and entertaining has slowed after the birth of our three kids…but having people over is still on of my favorite things to do!
On top of all that…I think I’d make a fun travel companion!
I keep it simple by trying to make recipes that are all about prep-work ahead of time. A couple of weeks ago I had a pork loin in the crockpot all day and had made some chocolate soufflés that were in the fridge waiting to be popped in the oven after dinner. All I had to do was steam the veggies and put my already-made twice baked potatoes in the oven for an hour. So easy! I love stocking up my freezer with things I’ve made and then just throwing them in the oven.
Oh how incredible and deserving for you to get this amazing invitation. You are so sweet to bring a guest!
With kids, you need to keep it simple. I love thinking about entertaining again outdoors – simple oilcloth table covers and antique napkins. Ball jars filled with wild flowers. Mix and match place settings, that go with the chairs that never match. Wash tubs filled with drinks. Picnic tables filled with simple picnic edibles. My husband at the grill – what is easier than that. Girls in white cotton dresses and blue bows. Simple games of pinwheels, croquet and hopscotch. I love a good, down-home Summer soiree. Those are the events that everyone remembers. Always. (and thankfully the easiest to put together)
I try to prepare meals that are pretty much done by the time the company arrives. I want to spend the time hanging out with folks, not in the kitchen. Yes, that typically means to don’t serve “show-stopping” dishes for company, but I didn’t invite them over to impress them; I invited them over because I want to hang out!
The best way I make entertaining simple?
Enjoy myself. You want your guests to have fun, and if are running around stressed, that won’t happen.
To help enjoy yourself during the event, prep food beforehand, don’t be so strict about what time everything has to happen, and relax. It’s okay if something doesn’t go exactly as you planned!
WOW!!!! Being a “foodie” at heart this is simply AMAZING!! How fantastic and what a crazy oppertunity!!! (p.s. Yes, I am aware how to end a sentence without an exclamation point, but apparently, not today!!)
Entertaining simple, DON’T STRESS! remember your guests have no idea what HUGE plans you drew in your head for the event. So dont feel bad that you couldnt/didn’t do more. All they see is what is in front of them ,and they probably thing it’s pretty great!
Prep as much as you can in the days before, enlists help! (like your mother!!!) and ALWAYS have a husband that will do the dishes for you.
Most importantly, just have FUN!!!!!
I would be BEYOND thrilled to make this trip.. WOW!!!
Ten very short years ago, I was not only anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first born, but I was already planning his 1st Birthday Party. By the time he arrived on May 2nd, I had his entire zoo themed party planned all the way down to the goody bags. Now 10 years, 3 children, a jewelry business and a brick and mortar store later…my poor kids are lucky to get a party that I spent more than a few hours planning! Between 5 birthdays in our home and countless bbq’s, I have a few tricks up my sleeve that certainly make my life a little easier. First rule-no plastic or paper! (Other than the obvious environmental reasons, it is one last thing to run around for.) Instead, I keep a tin pail full of flatware that I have collected from many antique malls and yard sales along with an eclectic mix of vintage dessert plates and cloth napkins that seem to go with every occasion. We always offer a large beverage tub full of ice and bottled drinks. I also keep on hand some tried and true family favorites that are easy but decadent and in season. I am a huge fan of cupcakes, however sometimes a cake is better suited. Many times I use the same chocolate or yellow cake recipe and simply doctor it up different ways to keep dessert selections new. I truly feel that keeping it simple is the way to go. At the end of the day it is family, friends and good company that your time should be spent on…
I wanna win…! K? I speak southern so could interpet for you.
making entertaining more simple for me = planning in advance! doing a little bit here and a little there even months before hand helps to relieve stress so that not only my guests can enjoy the occasion, but i can too!
Entertaining is all about a comfortable environment to enjoy each other. I love to create new food combinations, but when entertaining I try not to stress myself out with making everything complex. I stick to the main things I know and maybe try 1 new thing. If it doesn’t turn out it’s another thing to talk about! Keeping entertaining simple means watching your calendar and making sure you don’t have a million things to do that day (kids to soccer, hair appt, grocery shopping) those are all done ahead of time.
Plan Ahead.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Have fun a & be a little creative.
(I would love to join you on your trip! =)
Sweet Tea and a Plan!
Simple… well I don’t know if simple is the right word but I really like to just go with my heart when entertaining. If I’m feeling like going all out – I will, and I won’t complain along the way. Simple for me is doing what feels right. Usually it doesn’t look simple to others, but when you’re doing something you love then it comes naturally and easy. If I really need to keep it simple I try to plan a brunch. Brunch foods are so much faster to make and easier.
A few thing I do to make entertaining easier is I have my arsenal of favorite recipes and I stick with ones that I know are show stoppers: Triple Berry Trifle, Pot de creme, Beef Bourguignon, roasted asparagus, baked french toast and more… Entertaining outside helps with the clean up, no vacuuming required!
I would be absolutely thrilled to come with you ladies!
I make entertaining easy by remembering that it’s about the experience, not the specifics. Sure, it’s nice when I have time to pick flowers to put on the table, but if I am running late, I don’t sweat it.
I also remind myself it’s ok to ask for help. My husband is amazingly awesome at running to the grocery store for ingredients I forgot or lending a hand whipping potatoes or chocolate mousse so I can finish up other recipes.
I’m just starting a wedding & event planning business…and am learning so many tricks & fun ideas for enteratining! Planning is KEY! Lately though, it’s been easy recipes! My friends & family are goo-goo over sweets & a lot of cake pops have been made! I love finding fun *and easy* ways to entertain…My next party? A cupcake & cocktail anniversary party for hubs & I to celebrate our 1st anniversary!
Ok first of all I so want to do a NYC re-do!!! You girls know what I’m talking about! Omg need some new soul searching with my sista’s.
How do I make entertaining easy? I think no matter what applianciance you may have it all comes down to who you invite to your event. Easy guest makes it an event easy. Hope to come with you and check out the amazing GE products.. The only GE product I use daily is my GE ultrasound machine for scanning mommies to and it rocks!
I always try to keep entertaining simple by offering a casual cooking/hang out dinner with my hubbie and friends. They usually bring dessert and we cook and hang out in the kitchen
I love to cook- so this prize sounds fabulous! {and luxurious}
Entertaining made easy? POTLUCK! when we host Christmas for my husband’s side (over 50), we make the main entree, and everyone else fills in with salads and side dishes! Voila! Easy peasy!
Shut the front door. How did I not know about this? First off, I need to meet you two. Seriously – it’s been years now and I’ve never laid eyes on you.
Anyway – entertaining. Planning is KEY. I make lists, and then lists of lists. And I don’t stress. I thrive on busy-ness, LOVE it! Of course, I run my wedding cakes and catering out of my home – having a set of appliances like those seen here? Even less to stress about.
Not sure how you are choosing a winner, but I don’t envy you unless it’s RANDOM! (Or subliminal messaging…pick me, pick me…)
Habe a great time with or without me!
My mother taught me (one of the few times I listened) to plan ahead. Write out a schedule of everything so you know when things need to be done to make sure that it is all finished at the same time.
Also try to make things that can have as much done in advance as possible. I can remember helping my mother prep in the morning for her evening dinner parties (there were many!).
And because of it, I now LOVE to have my own dinner parties – often themed! LOL
Thank you SO much for the opportunity. This would be an AH-Mazing experience. And SO fun to meet you both!
I have a bunch of recipes I have made many times, so I can easily put them together.